UNFINISHED BUSINESS  

Bill No: SCR 31

Author: Bradford (D), et al.

Amended: 8/30/19

Vote: 21

SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORG. COMMITTEE: 16-0, 4/23/19

AYES: Dodd, Wilk, Allen, Archuleta, Borgeas, Bradford, Chang, Galgiani, Glazer, Hill, Hueso, Jones, Nielsen, Portantino, Rubio, Wiener

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

SENATE FLOOR: 37-0, 5/13/19

AYES: Allen, Archuleta, Atkins, Bates, Beall, Bradford, Caballero, Chang, Dodd, Durazo, Galgiani, Glazer, Grove, Hertzberg, Hill, Hueso, Hurtado, Jackson, Jones, Leyva, McGuire, Mitchell, Monning, Moorlach, Morrell, Nielsen, Pan, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Skinner, Stern, Stone, Umberg, Wieckowski, Wiener, Wilk

NO VOTE RECORDED: Borgeas

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0, 1/13/20 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: The Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution names the public street, circle, and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall in the City of Sacramento as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza.”

Assembly Amendments

are technical and non-substantive.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Prescribes various duties for the Department of General Services (DGS) in connection with the development and maintenance of Capitol Park.
2. Establishes the Historic State Capitol Commission to provide a permanent, official body charged with advisory review of the maintenance, restoration, development, and management of the historic State Capitol.
3. Defines “historic State Capitol” to mean the building housing the state legislative offices and chambers, as specified, and Capitol Park, as specified.

This resolution:

1. Names the public street, circle, and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall in the City of Sacramento as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza.”
2. Requests DGS to determine the cost of erecting the appropriate signage commemorating this special designation and, upon receiving donations from non-state sources, to cover that cost to erect that signage.
3. Recounts the lifetime accomplishments of Willie L. Brown, Jr. in California’s public service.

Background

Willie Lewis Brown, Jr. Born in 1934, in Mineola, Texas, Mr. Brown moved to San Francisco in 1951 to live with his uncle and attend college, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law. First elected in 1964, Mr. Brown served as a Member of the California State Assembly from 1965 to 1995; and, as the first African American and longest serving Speaker of the Assembly in California history, from 1980 to 1995. His record 15 years as Speaker of the Assembly are unlikely to be matched any time soon given current legislative term limits. After the Assembly, Mr. Brown served two terms as the 41st Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, from 1996 to 2004.

Today, Mr. Brown heads the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Institute on Politics and Public Service, an independent, non-profit organization providing a forum for non-partisan education of public policy issues to expand the substantive and technical expertise available to stakeholders from the political, academic, business, and scientific communities. The center trains students for careers in municipal, county, and regional governments; and, currently supports the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellowship Program at San Francisco State University and the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Archives in the Leonard Library at San Francisco State University. Mr. Brown continues to write as a freelance columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle.

In 2013, ACR 65 (Hall, Resolution Chapter 140, Statutes of 2013) renamed the western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Bridge” to honor and commemorate his many contributions to California. Additionally, the Speaker’s conference room adjacent to the Assembly Chambers on the second floor of the West Wing in the State Capitol is named the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Room.”

914 and 915 Capitol Mall in Sacramento. The public street, circle and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall, currently known as Capitol Fountain Plaza, is located between 9th and 10th Streets, directly west of the State Capitol, and sits between the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building and the Jesse Unruh State Office Building. In the early 20th Century, concerned about the growing movement to move the capital to San Francisco, Sacramento boosters started an effort to purchase the property and allow for an expansion of the Capitol. In 1917 the two blocks containing Capitol Fountain Plaza between 9th and 10th Street, and L and N Street became a part of Capitol Park. Additional monuments and memorials within these two blocks include the California Mexican-American Veterans Memorial “El Soldado,” the California Peace Officers’ Memorial, and Earl Warren Walk. The Capitol Fountain Plaza is surrounded by 11 camphor trees. A 36-foot wide water fountain built in the 1920s sits in the middle of the plaza, however that fountain has recently been proposed for removal by DGS as part of a 10-year plan to construct new state buildings and revamp old ones in the immediate surrounding area.

Comments

Purpose of the resolution. According to the author’s office, “Willie Lewis Brown, Jr. epitomizes the ‘California Dream’ and should be rightfully honored during his 85^th year. He entered politics in 1964 by being elected to the State Assembly. He continued his civil rights work and his progressive efforts to make California and the state’s ‘Dream’ a better and more accepting place for all people. Over the next 30 years, Brown made his mark on California with his leadership on most of the major issues of the day by either directly authoring legislation or supporting the lofty and seemingly improbable ideas of his Assembly colleagues.”

Related/Prior Legislation

ACR 65 (Hall, Resolution Chapter 140, Statutes of 2013) renamed the western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in the City and County of San Francisco as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Bridge.”

SCR 77 (Keene, Resolution Chapter 68, Statutes of 1986) named the eastern extension of Capitol Avenue within Capitol Park, and between 15th Street and the State Capitol, as the “Governor Hiram W. Johnson Memorial Parkway.”

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, one-time minor and absorbable costs (Statewide Surcharge fund) to DGS for determining the cost and installing the signs. The statewide surcharge is a fee assessed on state entities for centralized services that DGS provides to each of them.

SUPPORT: (Verified 1/14/20)

CAL FIRE Local 2881

California Association of Highway Patrolmen

California State Conference of the NAACP

Two individuals

OPPOSITION: (Verified 1/14/20)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The California Association of Highway Patrolmen writes that, “Willie Brown, Jr. is a political legend and leaves behind a great legacy in politics. It is only fitting that the State Office Building #1 and the California State Library’s plaza located at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall be named in his honor.”

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0, 1/13/20

AYES: Aguiar-Curry, Arambula, Bauer-Kahan, Berman, Bigelow, Bloom, Boerner Horvath, Brough, Burke, Calderon, Carrillo, Chau, Chen, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Cunningham, Daly, Diep, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Frazier, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gonzalez, Gray, Grayson, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kamlager, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, Medina, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Patterson, Petrie-Norris, Quirk, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Smith, Mark Stone, Ting, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wicks, Wood, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: Bonta, Cervantes, Cooper, Megan Dahle, Kalra, McCarty, Melendez, Quirk-Silva

Prepared by: Brian Duke / G.O. / (916) 651-1530

1/16/20 13:34:18

**** END ****

SENATE THIRD READING

STR Bill Id:SCR 31

Author:(Bradford)

As Amended Ver:August 30, 2019

Majority vote

SUMMARY:

Names the public street, circle, and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall in Sacramento the "Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza."

Major Provisions

1. Requests the Department of General Services (DGS) to determine the cost of erecting signs specifying the designation, and, upon receiving donation from non-state sources, to cover the costs to install the signs.
2. Recognizes the contributions of Willie L. Brown, Jr. (Brown) for his public accomplishments and leadership.

COMMENTS:

This resolution names the street, circle and plaza just west of the State Capitol Park after Brown.

First elected in 1964, Brown served as a Member of the California State Assembly from 1965 to 1995; and, as the first African American and longest-serving Speaker of the Assembly in California history, from 1980 to 1995. After his time in the Assembly, Brown served two terms as the 41st Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, from 1996 to 2004.

Today, Brown heads the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Institute on Politics and Public Service, an independent, non-profit organization providing a forum for non-partisan education of public policy issues to expand the substantive and technical expertise available to stakeholders from the political, academic, business, and scientific communities. The institute supports the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellowship Program at San Francisco State University and the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Archives in the Leonard Library at San Francisco State University.

According to the Author:

"Willie Lewis Brown, Jr. epitomizes the "California Dream" and should be rightfully honored during his 85th year."

Arguments in Support:

Brown should be recognized for his leadership and legacy to the state.

Arguments in Opposition:

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS:

According to the Assembly Appropriation Committee, one-time minor and absorbable costs (Statewide Surcharge fund) to DGS for determining the cost and installing the signs. The statewide surcharge is a fee assessed on state entities for centralized services that DGS provides to each of them.

VOTES:

SENATE FLOOR: 37-0-1

YES: Allen, Archuleta, Atkins, Bates, Beall, Bradford, Caballero, Chang, Dodd, Durazo, Galgiani, Glazer, Grove, Hertzberg, Hill, Hueso, Hurtado, Jackson, Jones, Leyva, McGuire, Mitchell, Monning, Moorlach, Morrell, Nielsen, Pan, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Skinner, Stern, Stone, Umberg, Wieckowski, Wiener, Wilk

ABS, ABST OR NV: Borgeas

ASM ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW: 7-0-0

YES: Petrie-Norris, Patterson, Burke, Lackey, Medina, Quirk-Silva, Smith

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 18-0-0

YES: Gonzalez, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonta, Brough, Calderon, Carrillo, Chau, Diep, Eggman, Fong, Gabriel, Eduardo Garcia, Maienschein, Obernolte, Petrie-Norris, Quirk, Robert Rivas

UPDATED:

VERSION: August 30, 2019

CONSULTANT: Scott Herbstman / A. & A.R. / (916) 319-3600 FN: 0001646

SENATE THIRD READING

STR Bill Id:SCR 31

Author:(Bradford)

As Introduced Ver:March 20, 2019

Majority vote

SUMMARY:

Names the public street, circle, and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall in Sacramento the "Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza."

Major Provisions

1. Requests the Department of General Services (DGS) to determine the cost of erecting signs specifying the designation, and, upon receiving donation from non-state sources, to cover the costs to install the signs.
2. Recognizes the contributions of Willie L. Brown, Jr. (Brown) for his public accomplishments and leadership.

COMMENTS:

This resolution names the street, circle and plaza just west of the State Capitol Park after Brown.

First elected in 1964, Brown served as a Member of the California State Assembly from 1965 to 1995; and, as the first African American and longest-serving Speaker of the Assembly in California history, from 1980 to 1995. After his time in the Assembly, Brown served two terms as the 41st Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, from 1996 to 2004.

Today, Brown heads the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Institute on Politics and Public Service, an independent, non-profit organization providing a forum for non-partisan education of public policy issues to expand the substantive and technical expertise available to stakeholders from the political, academic, business, and scientific communities. The institute supports the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellowship Program at San Francisco State University and the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Archives in the Leonard Library at San Francisco State University.

According to the Author:

"Willie Lewis Brown, Jr. epitomizes the "California Dream" and should be rightfully honored during his 85^th year."

Arguments in Support:

Brown should be recognized for his leadership and legacy to the state.

Arguments in Opposition:

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS:

According to the Assembly Appropriation Committee, one-time minor and absorbable costs (Statewide Surcharge fund) to DGS for determining the cost and installing the signs. The statewide surcharge is a fee assessed on state entities for centralized services that DGS provides to each of them.

VOTES:

SENATE FLOOR: 37-0-1

YES: Allen, Archuleta, Atkins, Bates, Beall, Bradford, Caballero, Chang, Dodd, Durazo, Galgiani, Glazer, Grove, Hertzberg, Hill, Hueso, Hurtado, Jackson, Jones, Leyva, McGuire, Mitchell, Monning, Moorlach, Morrell, Nielsen, Pan, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Skinner, Stern, Stone, Umberg, Wieckowski, Wiener, Wilk

ABS, ABST OR NV: Borgeas

ASM ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW: 7-0-0

YES: Petrie-Norris, Patterson, Burke, Lackey, Medina, Quirk-Silva, Smith

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 18-0-0

YES: Gonzalez, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonta, Brough, Calderon, Carrillo, Chau, Diep, Eggman, Fong, Gabriel, Eduardo Garcia, Maienschein, Obernolte, Petrie-Norris, Quirk, Robert Rivas

UPDATED:

VERSION: March 20, 2019

CONSULTANT: Scott Herbstman / A. & A.R. / (916) 319-3600 FN: 0001327

Date of Hearing: August 14, 2019

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SCR 31

Author:(Bradford) – As Introduced Ver:March 20, 2019

Urgency: State Mandated Local Program: Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This resolution names the public street, circle and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall in Sacramento the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza.” Specifically, this resolution:

1. Names the public street, circle, and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall in the City of Sacramento as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza.”
2. Requests the Department of General Services (DGS) to determine the cost of erecting signs specifying the designation, and, upon receiving donation from non-state sources, to cover the costs to install the signs.
3. Recognizes the contributions of Willie L. Brown, Jr. (Brown) for his public accomplishments and leadership.

FISCAL EFFECT:

One-time minor and absorbable costs (Statewide Surcharge fund) to DGS for determining the cost and installing the signs. The statewide surcharge is a fee assessed on state entities for centralized services that DGS provides to each of them.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose and Background. According to the author, “Willie Lewis Brown, Jr. epitomizes the ‘California Dream’ and should be rightfully honored during his 85^th year.”

First elected in 1964, Brown served as a Member of the California State Assembly from 1965 to 1995; and, as the first African American and longest-serving Speaker of the Assembly in California history, from 1980 to 1995. After his time in the Assembly, Brown served two terms as the 41st Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, from 1996 to 2004.

Today, Brown heads the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Institute on Politics and Public Service, an independent, non-profit organization providing a forum for non-partisan education of public policy issues to expand the substantive and technical expertise available to stakeholders from the political, academic, business and scientific communities. The institute supports the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellowship Program at San Francisco State University and the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Archives in the Leonard Library at San Francisco State University.

In 2013, ACR 65 (Hall), Chapter 140, Statutes of 2013, renamed the western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Bridge” to honor and commemorate his many contributions to California. Additionally, the Speaker’s conference room adjacent to the Assembly Chambers in the State Capitol is named the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Room.”

1. Prior Legislation. SCR 77 (Keene), Resolution Chapter 68, Statutes of 1986, named the eastern extension of Capitol Avenue within Capitol Park, and between 15^th Street and the State Capitol, as the “Governor Hiram W. Johnson Memorial Parkway.”

Analysis Prepared by: Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: July 3, 2019

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

Cottie Petrie-Norris, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SCR 31

Author:(Bradford) – As Introduced Ver:March 20, 2019

SENATE VOTE: 37-0

SUBJECT: The Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza

SUMMARY: Names the public street, circle, and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall in Sacramento the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza.” Specifically, this resolution:

1. Requests the Department of General Services (DGS) to determine the cost of erecting signs specifying the designation, and, upon receiving donation from non-state sources, to cover the costs to install the signs.
2. Recognizes the contributions of Willie L. Brown, Jr. (Brown) for his public accomplishments and leadership.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.

COMMENTS: This resolution names the street, circle and plaza just west of the State Capitol Park after Brown.

According to the author, “Willie Lewis Brown, Jr. epitomizes the “California Dream” and should be rightfully honored during his 85^th year.”

First elected in 1964, Brown served as a Member of the California State Assembly from 1965 to 1995; and, as the first African American and longest-serving Speaker of the Assembly in California history, from 1980 to 1995. After his time in the Assembly, Brown served two terms as the 41st Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, from 1996 to 2004.

Today, Brown heads the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Institute on Politics and Public Service, an independent, non-profit organization providing a forum for non-partisan education of public policy issues to expand the substantive and technical expertise available to stakeholders from the political, academic, business, and scientific communities. The institute supports the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellowship Program at San Francisco State University and the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Archives in the Leonard Library at San Francisco State University.

In 2013, ACR 65 (Hall), Chapter 140, Statutes of 2013, renamed the western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Bridge” to honor and commemorate his many contributions to California. Additionally, the Speaker’s conference room adjacent to the Assembly Chambers in the State Capitol is named the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Room.”

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Aaron Read & Associates
Cal Fire Local 2881
California Association of Highway Patrolmen

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Scott Herbstman / A. & A.R. / (916) 319-3600

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: SCR 31

Author: Bradford (D), et al.

Introduced: 3/20/19

Vote: 21

SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORG. COMMITTEE: 16-0, 4/23/19

AYES: Dodd, Wilk, Allen, Archuleta, Borgeas, Bradford, Chang, Galgiani, Glazer, Hill, Hueso, Jones, Nielsen, Portantino, Rubio, Wiener

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

SUBJECT: The Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution names the public street, circle, and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall in the City of Sacramento as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza.”

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Prescribes various duties for the Department of General Services (DGS) in connection with the development and maintenance of Capitol Park.
2. Establishes the Historic State Capitol Commission (Commission) to provide a permanent, official body to be charged with advisory review of the maintenance, restoration, development, and management of the historic State Capitol.
3. Defines “historic State Capitol” to mean the building housing the state legislative offices and chambers, as specified, and Capitol Park, provided that Capitol Park shall be included in the historic State Capitol only upon the adoption by the Joint Rules Committee of a master plan regarding Capitol Park.

This resolution:

1. Names the public street, circle, and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall in the City of Sacramento as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza.”
2. Requests DGS to determine the cost of erecting the appropriate signage commemorating this special designation and, upon receiving donations from non-state sources, to cover that cost to erect that signage.
3. Recounts the lifetime accomplishments of Willie L. Brown, Jr. in California’s public service.

Background

Willie Lewis Brown, Jr. Born in 1934, in Mineola, Texas, Mr. Brown moved to San Francisco in 1951 to live with his uncle and attend college, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law. First elected in 1964, Mr. Brown served as a Member of the California State Assembly from 1965 to 1995; and, as the first African American and longest serving Speaker of the Assembly in California history, from 1980 to 1995. His record 15 years as Speaker of the Assembly are unlikely to be matched any time soon given current legislative term limits. After the Assembly, Mr. Brown served two terms as the 41st Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, from 1996 to 2004.

Today, Mr. Brown heads the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Institute on Politics and Public Service, an independent, non-profit organization providing a forum for non-partisan education of public policy issues to expand the substantive and technical expertise available to stakeholders from the political, academic, business, and scientific communities. The center trains students for careers in municipal, county, and regional governments; and, currently supports the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellowship Program at San Francisco State University and the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Archives in the Leonard Library at San Francisco State University. Additionally, Mr. Brown continues to write as a freelance columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle.

In 2013, ACR 65 (Hall, Resolution Chapter 140, Statutes of 2013) renamed the western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Bridge” to honor and commemorate his many contributions to California. Additionally, the Speaker’s conference room adjacent to the Assembly Chambers on the second floor of the West Wing in the State Capitol is named the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Room.”

914 and 915 Capitol Mall in Sacramento. The public street, circle and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall, currently known as Capitol Fountain Plaza, is located between 9th and 10th Streets, directly west of the State Capitol, and sits between the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building and the Jesse Unruh State Office Building. In the early 20th Century, concerned about the growing movement to move the capital to San Francisco, Sacramento boosters started an effort to purchase the property and allow for an expansion of the Capitol. In 1917 the two blocks containing Capitol Fountain Plaza between 9th and 10th Street, and L and N Street became a part of Capitol Park. Additional monuments and memorials within these two blocks include the California Mexican-American Veterans Memorial “El Soldado,” the California Peace Officers’ Memorial, and Earl Warren Walk. The Capitol Fountain Plaza is surrounded by 11 camphor trees and includes a 36-foot wide water fountain built in the 1920s.

The Historic State Capitol Commission. The Commission has been charged with the advisory review of the maintenance, restoration, development, and management of the historic State Capitol. It has been an ongoing practice for DGS to advise the Commission on pending memorials proposed for the State Capitol Building and/or Capitol Park and to ask for the Commission’s input and recommendations. In some cases, legislation for a specific memorial contains language including the Commission in the review process. In this role, the Commission has reviewed the designs of several memorials, including the Sisters of Mercy, the beautification of the Mexican-American Veterans Memorial, the Portuguese American Veterans memorial, and the Ronald Reagan statue.

Comments

Purpose of the resolution. According to the author’s office, “Willie Lewis Brown, Jr. epitomizes the ‘California Dream’ and should be rightfully honored during his 85^th year. He entered politics in 1964 by being elected to the State Assembly. He continued his civil rights work and his progressive efforts to make California and the state’s ‘Dream’ a better and more accepting place for all people. Over the next 30 years, Brown made his mark on California with his leadership on most of the major issues of the day by either directly authoring legislation or supporting the lofty and seemingly improbable ideas of his Assembly colleagues.”

Related/Prior Legislation

ACR 65 (Hall, Resolution Chapter 140, Statutes of 2013) renamed the western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in the City and County of San Francisco as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Bridge.”

SCR 77 (Keene, Resolution Chapter 68, Statutes of 1986) named the eastern extension of Capitol Avenue within Capitol Park, and between 15th Street and the State Capitol, as the “Governor Hiram W. Johnson Memorial Parkway.”

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/7/19)

CAL FIRE Local 2881

California Association of Highway Patrolmen

California State Conference of the NAACP

Two individuals

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/6/19)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: Supporters of this resolution write that, “Willie Brown, Jr. is a political legend and leaves behind a great legacy in politics. It is only fitting that the State Office Building #1 and the California State Library’s plaza located at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall be named in his honor.”

Prepared by: Brian Duke / G.O. / (916) 651-1530

5/8/19 10:51:32

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

Senator Bill Dodd

Chair

2019 - 2020 Regular

Bill No: SCR 31 Hearing Date: 4/23/2019

SUBJECT: The Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza

DIGEST: This bill names the public street, circle, and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall in the City of Sacramento as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza.”

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Prescribes various duties for the Department of General Services (DGS) in connection with the development and maintenance of Capitol Park.
2. Establishes the Historic State Capitol Commission to provide a permanent, official body to be charged with advisory review of the maintenance, restoration, development, and management of the historic State Capitol.
3. Defines “historic State Capitol” to mean the building housing the state legislative offices and chambers, as specified, and Capitol Park, provided that Capitol Park shall be included in the historic State Capitol only upon the adoption by the Joint Rules Committee of a master plan regarding Capitol Park.

This bill:

1. Names the public street, circle, and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall in the City of Sacramento as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza.”
2. Requests DGS to determine the cost of erecting the appropriate signage commemorating this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources, to cover that cost to erect that signage.
3. Recounts the lifetime accomplishments of Willie L. Brown, Jr. in California’s public service.

Background

Purpose of the bill. According to the author’s office, “Willie Lewis Brown, Jr. epitomizes the ‘California Dream’ and should be rightfully honored during his 85^th year. He entered politics in 1964 by being elected to the State Assembly. He continued his civil rights work and his progressive efforts to make California and the state’s ‘Dream’ a better and more accepting place for all people. Over the next 30 years, Brown made his mark on California with his leadership on most of the major issues of the day by either directly authoring legislation or supporting the lofty and seemingly improbable ideas of his Assembly colleagues.”

Further, the author’s office states that, “well before he became the longest serving Speaker in California history, Willie Brown spent seven years (1968 to 1975) working in collaboration with the Society for Individual Rights of San Francisco ‘SIRS’ seeking to decriminalize sexual acts between consenting adults. This change in law became the foundation for and ushered in the realized rights of gay and lesbian Californians in the next four decades. During the 15 years of his tenure as Speaker, he quietly assisted his team of legislative colleagues with a variety of issues, among many, that banned semi-automatic weapons, getting the state to divest from South Africa, and stability through school finance reform. These three acts are just a brief glimpse of the variety of bills that passed into law under Brown’s leadership while cooperating and negotiating with two Republican Governors, George Deukmejian and Pete Wilson. The California Dream was strengthened and lives on through the efforts and leadership of Willie L. Brown, Jr.”

Background on Willie Lewis Brown, Jr. Born in 1934, in Mineola, Texas, Mr. Brown moved to San Francisco in 1951 to live with his uncle and attend college, first receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University, and then a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law. First elected in 1964, Mr. Brown served as a Member of the California State Assembly from 1965 to 1995; and, as the first African American and longest serving Speaker of the Assembly in California history, from 1980 to 1995. His record 15 years as Speaker of the Assembly is unlikely to be matched any time soon given current legislative term limits. After the Assembly, Mr. Brown served two terms as the 41^st Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, from 1996 to 2004.

Today, Mr. Brown heads the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Institute on Politics and Public Service, an independent, non-profit organization providing a forum for non-partisan education of public policy issues to expand the substantive and technical expertise available to stakeholders from the political, academic, business, and scientific communities. The center trains students for careers in municipal, county, and regional governments; and, currently supports the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellowship Program at San Francisco State University and the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Archives in the Leonard Library at San Francisco State University. Additionally, Mr. Brown continues to write as a freelance columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle.

In 2013, ACR 65 (Hall, Resolution Chapter 140, Statutes of 2013) renamed the western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Bridge,” to honor and commemorate his many contributions to California. Additionally, the Speaker’s conference room adjacent to the Assembly Chambers on the second floor in the West Wing of the State Capitol is named the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Room.

914 and 915 Capitol Mall in Sacramento. The public street, circle and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall, currently known as Capitol Fountain Plaza, is located between 9^th and 10^th Streets, directly west of the State Capitol, and sits between the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building and the Jesse Unruh State Office Building. In the early 20^th Century, concerned about the growing movement to move the capital to San Francisco, Sacramento boosters began a movement to purchase the property to allow for an expansion of the Capitol. In 1917 the two blocks containing Capitol Fountain Plaza between 9^th and 10^th Street, and L and N Street became a part of Capitol Park. Monuments and memorials adjacent to the plaza include the California Mexican-American Veterans Memorial “El Soldado,” the California Peace Officers’ Memorial, and Earl Warren Walk. The plaza is surrounded by 11 camphor trees and includes a 36-foot wide water fountain built in the 1920s.

The Historic State Capitol Commission. The Historic State Capitol Commission (Commission) has been charged with advisory review of the maintenance, restoration, development, and management of the Historic State Capitol. It has been an ongoing practice for DGS to advise the Commission on pending memorials proposed for the State Capitol Building and/or Capitol Park and to ask for their input and recommendations. In some cases, legislation for a specific memorial contains language including the Commission in the review process. In this role, the Commission has reviewed the designs of several memorials, including the Sisters of Mercy, the beautification of the Mexican-American Veterans Memorial, the Portuguese American Veterans memorial, and the Ronald Reagan statue.

The 2007 Budget Act provided $1.5 million from the General Fund to complete a Capitol Park Master Plan, which is intended to identify the historic landscape of the Park, current infrastructure conditions, security and maintenance needs, and future memorial locations, and how to address these issues over the next 50 years. The Joint Committee on Rules is currently working with DGS to develop a master plan for the Capitol Park grounds. Until the plan is developed, DGS has instituted an “unofficial” moratorium on additional memorials and monuments in Capitol Park, which is supported by the Joint Committee on Rules and the Commission.

This resolution is different from a number of recent legislative attempts to establish new physical memorials and monuments within Capitol Park; and, simply names the public street, circle, and plaza at 914 and 915 Capitol Mall as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Circle and Plaza.” Additionally, this bill requests DGS to determine the cost of erecting appropriate signage, and upon receiving donations from nonstate sources, to cover that cost to erect signage.

Prior/Related Legislation

ACR 65 (Hall, Resolution Chapter 140, Statutes of 2013) renamed the western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in the City and County of San Francisco as the “Willie L. Brown, Jr. Bridge.”

AB 2445 (Dickinson, Chapter 547, Statutes of 2012) among other things, expanded the purview of the Commission, as specified, and revised the definition of the historic State Capitol to include Capitol Park, provided that Capitol Park be included only upon the adoption by the Joint Rules Committee.

SCR 77 (Keene, Resolution Chapter 68, Statutes of 1986) named the eastern extension of Capitol Avenue within Capitol Park, and between 15^th Street and the State Capitol, as the “Governor Hiram W. Johnson Memorial Parkway.”

AB 2767 (W. Brown, Chapter 1757, Statutes of 1984) established the Commission as the permanent, official body to be charged with advisory review of the maintenance, restoration, development, and management of the historic State Capitol.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Yes Local:

SUPPORT:

None received

OPPOSITION:

None received